Russia hopes for good basis of energy cooperation with Turkmenistan.

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22/12 Tass 192

MOSCOW, December 22 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is
hoping that the agreements signed with Turkmenistan will create a good
basis for cooperation in the energy sphere.

"Today, a new agreement on developing cooperation in the field of
energy and machine building has been signed. I believe it's a step
forward, because it implies substantiation and new prospects for our work
in a number of fields," Medvedev said after talks with Turkmen leader
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
He also noted that at the corporate level, Gazprom and Turkmengaz had
amended the basic contract of gas sale (dated 2003). "I believe these
decisions will make good groundwork for our energy cooperation in the near
future," the Russian president said.
Medvedev underlined that despite the global financial crisis,
Russian-Turkmen trade continues to increase.
"It amounted to 900 million dollars in the first ten months of this
year, not counting gas supplies. It has increased by 20 percent from the
previous years. We think it's very good," the head of the Russian state
said.
Both leaders believe that the two countries have considerable reserves
to develop mutual trade, in first place through its diversification and
expanding the list of exported goods and cooperation in various fields.
A number of Russian companies, such Gazprom, Stroitransgaz, Itera,
Zarubezhneft and Kamaz operate successfully in Turkmenistan.
"It is in our common interests to continue to stimulate investments
and production cooperation. We'll be working on it. The intergovernmental
economic cooperation commission is expected to make its contribution,"
Medvedev said.
The commission's performance has been satisfactory. The signing of
Russian-Turkmen accords on Tuesday was one of the results of its
activities.
The Russian president noted the necessity of cultural cooperation. In
Ashgabad, there is the Pushkin comprehensive school. The Russian and
Turkmen leaders are to unveil its new building.
Medvedev said he was pleased with the work of the Ashgabad branch of
the Gubkin State University of Oil and Gas.
In April, Turkmenistan hosted the Days of Russia cultural festival.
"We're ready to host the Days of Turkmenistan cultural event," the Russian
president said.
Bedymukhamedov expressed the wish to visit a number of Russian
regions. "I'd like to visit the Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk regions,
Tatarstan and St.Petersburg," the Turkmen leader said during his talks
with Medvedev.
"We'll be happy to welcome you there," Medvedev said.
-0-myz/gor